A concise history of the Caribbean, this book covers the large islands such as Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, to the smaller islands in the Netherlands Antilles, the islands of the Eastern Caribbean and the French and British dependencies. The Caribbean has a history of colonialism, slavery and resistance. From the gold-seeking Spanish conquistadors to modern-day tourist cruises, the islands have attracted visitors. Tracing the islands' path from slavery to revolution and independence, the book looks at the history of nations as different as Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti, explaining their diversity and their common experiences.